The Biggest Obstacle in LeBron’s Championship Path.

While we’ve all been caught up in ‘The Decision,’ the MLB All-Star Game, and general free-agent pratter, one of the biggest challenges facing LeBron James and the Miami Heat has bobbed to the surface. On Monday, NBA Union Director Billy Hunter told ESPN, “I’m preparing for a lockout right now and I haven’t seen anything to change that notion. Hopefully I’ll see something over the next several months.” As ESPN itself is running a column highlighting the 2011 free-agent class, the collective bargaining agreement reached by the players union and owners will expire June 30, 2011. Mr. Hunter’s comments were in response to NBA Commisioner David Stern’s statements at a press conference after meetings for the NBA’s Board of Governor’s. Specifically, that the league lost $370 million last year.

Basically, Billy Hunter disagree’s with the NBA’s assessment. Citing higher ticket sales and television ratings, the player’s union feels that league is doing well, and are also very happy with the way the bargaining agreement is setup. Both sides at this point seem pretty set on  agreeing-to-disagree which doesn’t bode well for the 2012 season. If Wade/LeBron/Bosh don’t get their ring next year, 2012 may be a long year for those three, you know, not playing basketball or nothin’.

Especially when Mr. Billy Hunter is also adding, “As of this moment, it’s full speed ahead for me in preparing the players for a worst-case scenario.”

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